Eiko Bihary sits beside Robert Ulman who begins a new painting as he undergoes dialysis at Center for dialysis Care in Mentor. The two both receive treatment there and met because of their mutual interest in art.

Despite the culturally diverse backgrounds of Eiko Bihary and Robert Ulman, commonalities have linked the two together in a special friendship.

Among them are a strong passion for art coupled with serious health concerns requiring that each undergo frequent dialysis treatments.

Bihary, 61, of Painesville, is of Japanese descent.

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Problems with diabetes led to the need for dialysis some years ago.

Meanwhile, Ulman, 75, who lives in Mentor, lost one kidney because of cancer and the other is non-functioning.

He now requires thrice weekly treatments to stay alive.

Their medical regimens take place at the Center for Dialysis Care in Mentor and it was there that the pair met.

Though trained in art in Japan before arriving in the U.S. in the early 1970s, Bihary had not painted for decades. Dawn Knez, the center's art therapist, encouraged her to begin again.

The therapist's prompting worked and Bihary picked up brush and paint, eventually producing some pieces that were displayed in the center's lobby.

Ulman, who has been painting for 25 years, noticed them and said he was impressed with Bihary's strong sense of color.

Through their mutual interests, the two met and discussions focused on art ensued.

Ulman joined Knez in prompting Bihary to continue painting.

"At the beginning I was not so good, but I didn't give up," Bihary said. "Little by little I started getting better and he encouraged me to keep going."

Ulman, who is an ordained deacon at St. Bede the Venerable Church in Mentor, said he often meets people who doubt their own abilities but added "it's amazing what (talents) may lie hidden inside of us."

Spirituality is another benchmark of their friendship.

While Ulman is Roman Catholic, Bihary belongs to the Unification Church.

Their shared love for God has become a common topic of their conversations.

"I appreciate her history of life and philosophy of how we develop into the people we are," Ulman said.

"We talk about what's important to us, and you can't always do that with everyone."

Both agree that the friendship is mutually beneficial.

In terms of their artwork, Ulman has picked up on Bihary's style by adding more animals and figures to his preferred subject of landscapes.

Bihary is following Ulman's example and including more details in her pieces.

Along with complimenting his artwork, the soft-spoken woman remarked that Ulman's character is "wonderful."

"I'm more panicky; he's very calm" she said. "I hope we can keep the friendship. We have a really good understanding of each other,"

Knez is pleased the creative connection has taken place.

"They are both married -- theirs is a friendship based upon mutual creativity and similar experiences with dialysis," she said.

"Both sets of families support their efforts and rapport. It is truly a heartfelt connection they have, and it has been a joy to witness art serving as such a strong catalyst for positive human interaction.

It is what art therapy is all about -- creativity toward the goal of healthy self-expression and communication with others."

"Creativity in Bloom," an exhibit of Bihary and Ulman's artwork along with other CDC patients, is on display through Monday at Morley Library in Painesville.